Inch tapes and not stethoscopes finding favour with medical practitioners; useful in checking obesity issues

The next time you visit your doctor, do not suspect his credentials or assume he is headed for a career change if he is holding a measuring tape in his hands. With obesity and related problems becoming more and more prevalent among Delhiites, physicians are trying to measure up to the challenge.

According to medical experts, 37% people in the city experience problems of obesity. Obesity is basically of two types - Abdominal obesity and buttock obesity.

"We have included a new instrument i.e. an inch tape in our repertoire, to inform the patients about obesity and other problems like snoring", said Dr K K Aggarwal, cardiologist, Moolchand Hospital.

If you are of average height and your abdomen has reached a size of more than 80 cm, be cautious as you are about to reach the level of obesity which will ultimately result in diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and heart attack.

"Abdominal obesity can be measured by using an inch tape. The waist size ideally should not be more than 80 cm", Dr Aggarwal said.

"And the treatment is simple. You must have heard about the saying: 'Longer the waistline, shorter the life?'u00a0 The treatment is just the opposite: 'Shorter the waistline, longer the lifeline.' Regular exercise and a proper diet are the simple suggestions I would give to the patients", he added.

Another problem that can be sized up using a measuring tape is that of snoring. To gauge the problem, the collar size of the neck is measured.

For men, the preferable collar size has to be 17 inches and it's 16 inches in the case of women.
"While snoring, if your breath stops more than 10 times, then you are likely to suffer from diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and heart attack in future", Dr Aggarwal added.